Around 30 people gathered to protest against prices of bus travel - among the highest in the UK - with First Bus representatives also attending.

The rally, which has been planned since December, followed an announcement by First this week that they will be reviewing their fares. The company plans to hold a wide-reaching consultation on its price plan.

Opening the speeches was Green Party activist Rob Telford, who helped get Mr Farr's project off the ground.

He said that the event would not be an “isolated protest” but would be part of a drive to change the way local transport is operated.

Mr Rogers, who campaigned to become Bristol mayor on the promise he would introduce £1.50 bus fares, said power over transport needs to be given back to the people.

Mr Williams repeated calls for an Integrated Transport Authority like Transport for London, which would have the powers to set fares and routes.

Ms McCarthy expressed her shock at the prices of buses which, she believes, are forcing people into cars or cabs. She called for trial routes with cheaper fares to get more people on to public transport and ease congestion.

First’s regional managing director in the South West and Wales, Justin Davies, said prices were high in the city due, in part, to slow traffic speeds.

In a statement the company added: “We have understood the level of concern that there is locally about the perceived cost of bus travel, and in response to this we have announced our intention to run a public consultation on the issue and also undertake a structural review of bus fares in the Greater Bristol Travel to Work Area.”

Bus Fare Gate has been rumbling on for years - as has annoyance at First's shoddy service.
This will not change unless there is legislation to force change. Politicians will tut-tut and say how terrible things are, First will hold a 'review' and a 'CONsultation' which may just result in a tiny bit of tinkering around the edges, just enough for them to claim to be listening to their customer, and then the whole saga will be dropped.....until the next time.
Bristol's public transport has been rubbish for years and years and despite lots of promises and false dawns, nothing has changed. Until First lose their monopoly and transport is run professionally by a Transport Authority, then I guarantee you that nothing will change.

If anyone in Government takes this issue seriously, they should be looking at why other coimpanies refuse to compete with First on prices; in particular, how First and Stagecoach have carved up Bristol and Gloucestershire.
Of course, that might reduce the dividends of some of the Government's richest supporters, so it ain't gonna happen any time soon.

How is it cheaper for me to drive myself the 10 miles to work and back, than to take the bus? A viable bus network should be charging more than £1 per day for travel within the city. A lot of major cities cost less, some even lay transport on for free, which is effective in combating congestion and the pollution and lost productivity it causes.

Couldn't agree more, their prices are ridiculous and always have been. Particularly as the prices they charge and the quality of service they provide, just do not add up!
Really glad to hear the petition has had some effect, even it's it's only the start.
This needs to be sorted out, ASAP.

Oh absolutely. I agree that buses in Bristol should be taken away from private companies. First will never reduce their fares to the level needed as they are focused on making as much profit as they can. I was just pointing out that they are the problem and that their excuse for high fares is a poor one as it is partly down to their poor service that traffic is bad i the first place. What they should say is: "The reason our fares are so high is because we charge the maximum we can get away with so that our shareholders are happy."

@Hartman81 - "Perhaps if the bus fares set by First were not so extortionate, then more people would use the bus and traffic speeds wouldn't be so slow!"
Good point, but consider reversing your equation:
If you were First Bus would you prefer to fill a sixty-seater bus with passengers each paying £1 for their tickets and leave others waiting at the bus stops because the bus was full? OR: Would you rather half-fill the bus with passengers paying £5 each?
Do the sums:-
60 x £1 = £60 (plus people queuing at the bus stops once the bus is full)
30 x £5 = £150 (plus extra capacity and profits for the shareholders!)
Buses in the Bristol area need to be run as a 'service', not as a profit-making private enterprise!

Perhaps if the bus fares set by First were not so extortionate, then more people would use the bus and traffic speeds wouldn't be so slow! Rather than making excuses, First need to act as they are the ones who can make a difference if they did not price people off public transport and force many people to use their cars. First are the problem here, and traffic is a knock-on effect.